AUGUSTA – Maine snowmobilers will be paying higher registration fees.

Gov. John Baldacci has signed into law a bill that increases the registration fee for residents from $33 to $35 per season. It directs that the $2 increase be credited to the state Snowmobile Trail Fund.

The law, which was signed Friday, also increases the seasonal snowmobile registration for nonresidents from $68 to $88.

The increase takes effect as snowmobilers mark a record season with snow that still covers trails in many areas.

But snowmobilers say the trail system needs better maintenance and asked the Legislature to hike the registration fees, with most of the increase going to grooming.